Shifting Shadows: An Anthology of Essays About the Christ

By B. Neil Shaw

This anthology of essays about Jesus Christ consists of ninety articles originally published in a Christian Magazine, The Christian Journal. Since there are ninety essays, it can be read in conjunction with one’s daily devotions as a 90-day devotional. The essays are divided into sixty-one topics covering a multitude of life issues such as faith, God’s love, holiness, integrity, marriage, miracles, purpose of life (see Shifting Shadows essay), repentance, righteousness, and many other issues faced by Christian believers in their every-day lives. It was written as an inspiration of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the command of the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations by sharing the Gospel, the good news about the kingdom of God and of the salvation He offers to those who believe and have faith in Him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973616900

B. Neil Shaw

B. Neil Shaw is a retired attorney whose mission in life is to share the Word of God with others and to do this with pen in hand. This work is an assemblage of essays written by the author over a period of ten years for a Christian magazine, The Christian Journal. Mr. Shaw is a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and enjoys writing his manuscripts in the majestic mountains of Southern Oregon. When he writes, he does so in the company of the Holy Spirit (for inspiration) and his two companions, Sophie, a Bernese Mountain dog, and Quincy, his Goldendoodle (for a reminder that unconditional love is what it’s all about)

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Copyright © 2018 B. Neil Shaw.

Author of The Crossover People

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-1691-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1692-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1690-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018901249

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/26/2018

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

An Inspiration

Preface

Belief

There’s Power In His Works

Commitment

He’s Committed to Give us a Crown of Life

Let Your Yes Be Yes, and Your No, No

Courage

Deborah: a Woman of Courage

Covenant

The Marriage Covenant

Death

Is This My Last Day?

Discernment

Discernment: a Matter of Prayer

Discipleship

What is Wrong with Our Country?

Serving Others is Serving the Lord

Eternity

The Sea Changer a Short Story

Faith

Faith In Christ: He Makes It Easy

The Legacy

Be Faithful, For If You are Faithful to Him, You Will Have

Eternal Life

Have Faith In Jesus Christ: there’s More Who are with

Us Than Those Who are with them

His Mercy Endures Forever

The Boy Who Would Be King

Be Temperate In all Things, But One

Victory Through Faith

Fear of Man

On Being acceptable to God

Fear of Man is a Snare

Be Strong and of Good Courage

Submit Your Life to Jesus Christ, Not to Caesar

Fear of Man or Fear of the Lord: It’s Your Choice

Fellowship

Why I’m In a Bible Study

Free Will

All authority In Heaven and On Earth

Giving

Generosity, the Grace of Giving

God’s Love

Agape, the Sacrificial Love of God

Harmony

Pray For Harmony In Our Land

Healing

The Blessings of Being Healed By Our Lord

Heaven

The Kingdom of Heaven is Now

Holiness

Holiness is What We Yearn For

Holy Spirit

Honor the Holy Spirit

Honesty

Truth and Honesty—The Most Powerful Things On Earth

Honor

The Book of Esther: a Story of a Woman of Honor

Hope

The Hope Chest

Our Hope is In His Unfailing Love

Integrity

The Importance of Being Honest:

How the Bible Defines Integrity

Israel

Ezekiel’s Prophesy about the Mountains of israel

Joy

The Joy of a Father

Kindness

A Picture of Kindness

Kingdom

Imagine a Perfect World

A Time to Be Born and a Time to Die

Knowing the Lord

Come Now, and Let us Reason together

Lord

Let us Bow Down and Worship the

Lord For He is Magnificent

Love

Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself

Marriage

The Patience of a Saint

Maturity

On This Rock I Will Build My Church

Spiritual Maturity: Striving to Be Like Jesus Christ

Meekness

Meekness—Humble Strength

Miracles

The Miracle Worker: Jesus is Our Hope

Overcoming

Some Thoughts On Overcoming

Peace

Peace Can Only Be achieved By God

Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace or Sword-Bearer

Praise

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord

Prayer

Prayer with a Gentle Spirit

Presence

Notes From an Experience with the Christ

Pride

Humility—The absence of Pride

Prosperity

Prosperity: Having Faith In Jesus Christ

Purity

Purify Your Heart with the Word of God

God’s Purpose For us is That We Be Pure In Heart

Purpose of Life

The Purpose of Life Questions

Shifting Shadows

Reconciliation

The Great Reconciler

Resolving a Dispute: a Lawsuit or Christian Mediation?

Repentance

Confession Purifies the Soul

A Cry In the Wilderness

Be Earnest and Repent Says the Lord

The Penitent King

Jesus’ Brilliant Design For Repentance and Faith

Restoration

He Restores My Soul

Restoration: the Healing of the Soul

Resurrection

To Live is Christ and to Die is Gain—The Great Hope of the

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Revelation

Immanuel: there is Great Hope In Things Yet to Come

Righteousness

The Righteous Will See God’s Face

Peter: From Wretchedness to Righteousness

Sacrifice

Cutting Covenant: the Lord’s Supreme Sacrifice

Salvation

But Why?

Nothing is Impossible with God

On the Road to Heaven—Working Out Our Salvation

The Lord’s Sevenfold Promises of Salvation

Sin

Sin: We Do Have a Choice

Testimony

A Direct Experience with God

Triumph

Triumph: a Study of Palm Sunday

Troubles

Storms of Life

Truth

Truth is the Only Way

The Truths of Our Lord Set us Free

Wisdom

Wisdom is Heavenly Knowledge

Witness

A Life-Changing Vision

Works

Working My Way into Heaven? It Does Not Work!

Worship

Worship the Lord

Appendix 1: attribution of Sources of Quoted Material

About the author

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I owe a debt of gratitude to those men of the ministry who led me and my family, as new-born Christians, from the shallow waters of rebirth to the ever-deepening waters of the River of Life of Jesus Christ. Our first pastor in Christ was Dr. Charles Stanley to whom we turned as new Christians and whom we watched every Sunday on the television. His sage words of wisdom inspired by the Holy Spirit led us to a little Christian chapel in Medford, New Jersey named Fellowship Alliance Chapel where we were shepherded as lambs in the Lord by a man after God’s own heart, Reverend Marty Berglund. His love for Christ was awe-inspiring. Then the Holy Spirit led us to Applegate Christian Fellowship, an on-fire for the Lord evangelical church in Ruch, Oregon led by Pastor Jon Courson. Under Pastor Jon’s tutelage, we went through the Bible, page by page, book by book, and cover to cover wherein we learned so much about God’s Word. Pastor Jon is a master of communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Presently, we are being shepherded by a professor of the Gospel, Dr. Rick Booye of Trail Christian Fellowship in Eagle Point, Oregon. Pastor Rick is a teacher par excellence. He is a professor at Pacific Bible College wherein I have had the privilege of attending three of the courses taught by Pastor Rick at the College. To all of these shepherds of Christ we are indeed grateful.

In completing this work, I received valuable comments and suggestions from my wife, Cheryl Shaw whose insights were filled with much wisdom and added greater clarity to the many essays as they were written over the years for the magazine, The Christian Journal. I also wish to acknowledge my appreciation for the valuable insight and comments from time to time shared with me by Pastor Chad McComas, editor of The Christian Journal and Senior Pastor of Set Free Christian Fellowship, Medford, Oregon. The Christian Journal is a non-profit ministry of Set Free Christian Fellowship. Pastor Chad is an inspiration for many who are disciples of Jesus Christ, especially those whose God-given gift is writing about the Lord. Additional thanks are due my grandson, Zachary Schneider, whose technical assistance in formatting the book was invaluable. My appreciation is also due to my friend Lin Engelhorn whose stenographical skills enabled me to finalize the book in its present form. Finally, I very much appreciate the skills of Linda Kincaid who designed the meaningful cover of the book.

But most importantly, I ascribe all of this work to the guidance of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit Who planted thoughts in my mind and inspired me to do this work. Jesus said, Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32). It gives me a great sense of fulfillment to do just that—acknowledge Him before men and women of this world. If only one person comes to believe in Jesus Christ by reading this work, I shall be forever grateful.

                  "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,

                  But to Your name give glory,

                  Because of Your mercy,

                  Because of Your truth" (Psalm 115:1).

AN INSPIRATION

"God, think Thy thoughts in my mind.

What dost Thou desire written?

Here is my hand; use it.

Pour Thy wisdom through my hand."

By: Frank C. Laubach¹

PREFACE

Writing has always been one of my pleasant pastimes. From the days in eighth grade English when one of my favorite teachers, Mr. Mathewson, inspired me to write, I have enjoyed writing about people and things. In the legal profession where I spent most of my working days, I did a lot of writing and often found it flowing easily out of me, albeit some of the works were on subjects that many would find non-inspirational.

As I have described in a few of the essays, in 1983 Jesus Christ reached out His hand and touched me. It was a special revelation, a truly regenerative conversion, so awe inspiring to me that it was and is difficult to put into words. That wondrous event was the beginning of a lifetime journey seeking to know more about Jesus.

In 2001, the Lord opened a door for me to write about Him in a regional Christian magazine, The Christian Quarterly which is now known as The Christian Journal. The editor of The Christian Journal, Pastor Chad McComas, is the Senior Pastor of Set Free Christian Fellowship in Medford, Oregon. Pastor Chad continues to publish the monthly magazine as a ministry of Set Free Christian Fellowship. You can read The Christian Journal on its web site: www.thechristianjournal.org. For almost ten years, I submitted monthly essay-type articles to Pastor Chad and he graciously included them in the magazine.

In 2007, I embarked on a project that I’d had in the back of my mind for years: writing a book. In 2014, after seven years of research, drafting and editing and re-editing, I published an historical novel, The Crossover People, an Incredible Journey from Darkness into the Light. You can see a video highlighting the story at www.thecrossoverpeople.com.

After The Crossover People was published, the Holy Spirit placed upon my heart the desire to write another book, an anthology of the many essays I’d written for The Christian Journal. With the encouragement of my wife Cheryl and with the inspiration of the Lord, I reviewed, edited, embellished and in some cases wrote anew, ninety essays about Jesus Christ. My goal in writing Shifting Shadows, an Anthology of Essays About the Christ, was to do my part in the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19–20), Go therefore and make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. It is my desire and prayer that many will be inspired about our Lord Jesus Christ as I have been in writing about Him.

Since my goal for this book is to do my part in The Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is my hope that a person reading the book will find it easier to understand the inspired words of God in the context of the essays as they are written on various life/spiritual subjects.

B. Neil Shaw

Winter, 2018

BELIEF

Jesus said, If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him (John 10:37–38).

THERE’S POWER IN HIS WORKS

What do you say to a friend who doesn’t believe in God? How do you convince your friend that the gospel is the truth? The Bible says that only through and with the power of God can anyone convince another that Christ is the only way to eternal salvation. Unless the Holy Spirit works in a person’s heart, the wise words of the speaker won’t be heard by the nonbeliever (1 Corinthians 2:4–5).

There is a science and art in Christianity that deals with responding to those who ask about, criticize or oppose the gospel. It is called apologetics, a term derived from the Greek legal term apologia which means defense, vindication, or answer. Apologetics has been utilized throughout Christian history in defending the faith. The apostle Peter wrote, Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed (1 Peter 3:15–16).

The classical method of apologetics uses the power of reason in responding to persons who disbelieve the gospel. The apostle Paul used classical biblical apologetics in interfacing with the non-believing culture of his time. Acts 17:16–34 describes how Paul reasoned with the non-believing Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens, a city known for its people of reason: Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there (Acts 17:16–17). All apologetics ends at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, Paul preached to them Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17–18). He proclaimed to the philosophers at Athens that God commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead(Acts 17:30–31).

Christianity is a religion of people who reason. The Lord desires His disciples to know and believe (John 10:38). He wants us to view reality from the way He sees it. For example, Jesus Christ responded to the criticisms of the Jewish leaders when they challenged Him in the portico of Solomon. The Jewish leaders said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him’ (John 10:24–26, 37–38). Jesus said that if they didn’t believe who He said He was, they should look around and see what He’d done and was doing as proof that He is the Messiah. In exhorting nonbelievers to believe His works, Jesus pointed them not only to the miracles they’d seen but also the power of God in His creation—His works.

The ancient prophet wrote about the works of God,

He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And He has stretched out the heavens at His discretion…He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightening for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries (Jeremiah 10:12-13).

The apostles witnessed the Lord’s great power while in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Then He…rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’ (Matthew 8:26–27).

We experience the power of God’s great works every moment of our lives. Did you ever wonder why the sun always stays ninety-three million miles from the earth? It’s just right for life on earth. What about the atom with its electrons, protons and neutrons? There’s a power that holds all of them together in a certain relationship so as to form all matter in the universe: And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:17). Just as the prophet Jeremiah observed, the characteristics of the universe, fine-tuned by God to make life possible and sustainable, are all from His outstretched hand—the power of God.

When a person asks, criticizes or opposes the gospel, speak as the apostle Paul spoke of the glorious splendor of God’s kingdom and the power to make known His mighty works, Because what may be known of God is manifest in them [unrighteous men], for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made (Romans 1:19–20). Similarly, the psalmist wrote, All your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power, To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom (Psalm 145:10–12).

By the grace of the Holy Spirit, the searching person will see and hear the power of God in His works. Belief in Him is the next rational step in the seeker’s walk toward faith in the Lord. This person will then shout with glee, For You, LORD, have made me through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands (Psalm 92:4).

COMMITMENT

Jesus said, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

HE’S COMMITTED TO GIVE US A CROWN OF LIFE

Jesus died for you and for me. Are we willing to die for Him? (John 13:38).

He proclaims that it was to Him that we are to commit our hearts. He said, You believe in God, believe also in Me (John 14:1).

But to what degree does the Lord, our God, expect us to commit our lives to Him? He tells us, Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10). To the point of death? Yes, to the point of death!

But what if we are told by a government official, You cannot pray in public or, You cannot display the Cross or, "You cannot use the words Under God in the pledge of allegiance to your country or on and on until we are told one day, You cannot worship Jesus Christ or, You cannot have a Bible or, Religious practices except those determined by the government are not permitted."

Finally, what if we are told one day that the only way we can buy goods or do business is if we accept the government’s identification computer chip under the skin of our forehead or our right hand? (Revelation 13:16–17). What would we do?

The book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ states that these foreboding events will occur: All who dwell on the earth will worship him [Satan], whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Faced with these edicts, many will refuse to comply with the dictates of the anti-Christ and will die in the name of Jesus Christ. Many have and are already dying for Him in this troubled world: And they overcame him [the accuser, Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, they did not love their lives to the death (Revelation 12:11).

Are we willing to die for our faith? The answer must be yes! We must say, Yes, Jesus, I am willing to be faithful to you even unto death. Why? Because Jesus said more than that in Revelation 2:10, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He will give us eternal life at His throne. He assures us that anyone whose name is written in the Book of Life will not be thrown into the lake of fire, the second death (Revelation 20:12–14). Being victorious is achieving the blissful state in which God and humans are restored to perfect fellowship as it existed before sin entered the world. By being faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ we are assured that we shall enjoy eternal life with Him and have nothing to fear from the death of our flesh.

In Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (prepared by W. Grinton Berry), it is described how the apostle Andrew, Peter’s brother, was totally committed in faith to our Lord. Andrew preached in an area now known as Ethiopia. He brought many to the faith of Christ. Aegeas, the Roman proconsul, commanded Andrew not to teach about Christ. He warned Andrew that if he did, he would be crucified with all speed. Andrew responded that he would not have preached the honor and glory of the cross if he feared the death of the cross. Foxe described Andrew’s strong faith (see page 9), Andrew, going toward the place, and seeing afar off the cross prepared, did change neither countenance nor colour, neither did his blood shrink, neither did he fail in his speech, his body fainted not, neither was his mind molested, nor did his understanding fail him, as it is the manner of men to do, but out of the abundance of his heart his mouth did speak…he said, ‘O cross, most welcome and long looked for! with a willing mind, joyfully and desirously, I come to thee, being the scholar of Him which did hang on thee: because I have always been thy lover, and have coveted to embrace thee.’

Unbending faith—total commitment to Jesus Christ, earned Andrew a crown of eternal life. When it is our time, we too shall be with Him and when that time comes, He will be faithful unto us and will give us the crown of eternal life. May we be worthy in our commitment to Jesus—faithful to Him, even unto death.

LET YOUR YES BE YES, AND YOUR NO, NO

A commitment is a pledge to do something. If to the Lord, it is a sacred vow. It is not something to be made and broken without consequences. If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth (Numbers 30:2). Jesus said, But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one (Matthew 5:37).

The Bible describes many ancients who made vows to the Lord. These Biblical accounts illustrate the importance of keeping a commitment. One whose commitment to the Lord is mentioned along with Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others is Jephthah the Gileadite (Hebrews 11:32).

Jephthah’s childhood was troubled. His mother was a prostitute and his brothers drove him out of the family home condemning him (Judges 11:1–2). Perhaps it was during these troubled times that the LORD cultivated in Jephthah strong faith and courage—he became a great warrior. Although driven away from Gilead, the elders of Gilead later sought his help because the Ammonites made war on Israel. They asked him to be their leader against their enemy (Judges 11:6). After prayer (Judges 11:11), he agreed to serve as their commander and leader.

At first, Jephthah tried diplomacy with the Ammonites. He sent a message to the Ammonite king saying, I have not sinned against you, but you wronged me by fighting against me. May the LORD, the Judge, render judgment this day between the children of Israel and the people of Ammon (Judges 11:27). In essence, Jephthah was willing to leave the battle in the Lord’s hands. His faith and commitment to the Lord were immovable. The Ammonite king ignored his message. The holy battle was joined.

As Jephthah advanced against the Ammonites the Holy Spirit came upon him (Judges 11:29). It was then that Jephthah made a vow, an unbreakable commitment to the Lord. He said, If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering (Judges 11:30–31).

The Lord acknowledged Jephthah’s vow by granting Israel victory over the Ammonites. As Jephthah approached his home after the battle, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, his only child! (Judges 11:34). When he saw her he tore his clothes, and said, ‘Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me! For I have given my word to the LORD, and I cannot go back on it’ (Judges 11:35).

Jephthah had taught his daughter well for she knew that once made, a vow is not to be broken. She replied to his outcry of anguish that since he had given his word to the Lord and the Lord had avenged his enemies, he must do to her as he had vowed to God, that is, offer her up as a burnt offering to the Lord (Judges 11:36). Her one request to Jephthah was to Let me alone for two months, that I may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my friends and I. And it was so at the end of two months that she returned to her father, and he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man (Judges 11:37, 39).

There is disagreement as to the meaning of the words, he carried out his vow. Some expositors believe that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering. Others interpret the reference to her virginity and that she would never marry to mean that Jephthah committed his daughter’s life to the Lord just as Hannah did with Samuel. Whether Jephthah sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering or committed her to a celibate life of devotion to the Lord isn’t the issue here. The principle taught is that Jephthah kept his commitment, no matter what.

When we make a commitment, we are to keep it whether it causes difficulty, sacrifice or suffering. In marriage, in business, or in life in general, our word must be our bond. What we have solemnly vowed to God, we must perform, if it be possible and lawful, though it be difficult and grievous to us. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, 251.

The wisest of kings, Solomon, spoke about vows, When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—Better not to vow than to vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5).

Our yes must mean yes, and our no, no.

COURAGE

Our courage comes not from men or women, but from God who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

DEBORAH: A WOMAN OF COURAGE

The Bible is filled with accounts of men and women who have lived courageous lives. One of the heroines of the Bible is Deborah, a prophetess and a judge (Judges 4–5). She was a woman who had deep faith in the Lord, a faith which gave her wisdom, the gift of prophecy, and above all, resolution, confidence and bravery that brought her people rest [for] forty years (Judges 5:31).

The setting for her story appears in Judges 4:1–3: The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan…And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD; for Jabin had harshly oppressed the children of Israel [for twenty years].

This oppressive state of affairs for the children of Israel was assured when the angel of the LORD said to them, You have not obeyed My voice…Therefore…I will not drive them [the Canaanites] out before you; but they will become thorns in your side (Judges 2:2–3).

Deborah led Israel when Jabin reigned (Judges 4:4). She would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment (Judges 4:5). Bethel is north of Jerusalem and was in the lands of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites came to Deborah to resolve their disputes.

As a prophetess, the angel of the Lord spoke to her and provided the means by which the children of Israel could be freed from the terror of the Canaanites. Deborah sent for Barak who lived in Kedesh in the tribe of Naphtali in the extreme northern area of present day Israel near Mt. Hermon. She said to him, "Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, ‘Go, and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and Zebulun: and against you I will deploy Sisera [commander of Jabin’s